042320 Yellow-rumped Warbler
Cedar Apple Rust
Yellow Warbler
Painted Turtle
042420 Neotropic Cormorant
042320 and 042420 were outstanding birding days. It started off at about sixty degrees after midnight and by 0700 hrs, we were raring to go on Friday the 24th, since it had rained all day Thursday until around 1800 hrs with a little more in the wee hours Friday. Two Green Herons were on Heron Cove, which appeared to be a mated pair looking for a nest site in the center overhanging trees where they usually build the first nest. We may be getting down to business shortly, since we recall that the herons moved out six weeks early last year due to extreme heat by June-early July on the west side of the Cove where the afternoon sun is strongest.
There were Pied-billed Grebes, Northern Shovelers, Blue-winged Teal, American Coots, and Double-crested Cormorants all around the outskirts of the Heron Cove area on the main portion of Boomer Lake. There were plenty of Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers all around the Cove, as there were normal resident birds and at least one out-of-the ordinary Bobolink for this area. It was heard but remained hidden within the taller grass on the west end of The Cove. It was refreshing to hear the cheerful and bubbly warbling on assorted pitches, but it was unfortunate that the bird did not avail itself for a photo. That really would have been the feather in writer's cap, especially since the first bird didn't avail itself to me either back in 2017.
Responding toward Shorebird Jetty, there was what appeared to be a White-faced Ibis among American Coots, Northern Shovelers, and Blue-winged Teal. Spotted Sandpipers were wafting around The Jetty, and eventually a Lesser Scaup was observed among a second raft of Blue-winged Teal, much larger than the diminutive ducks on the northwest side of the jetty. Another birder was sneaking up on the ibis trying to get a positive identification and it flushed, heading south and off Boomer Lake. Our Savannah Sparrow, which has been hanging its hat on this jetty for the past two weeks, continued to show itself. There were also multiple waves totaling hundreds of Franklin's Gulls, while the three Bonaparte's Gulls hung tight at Boomer Lake Park.
Heading north, sparrows were apparent, including the Lincoln's, Chipping, and another Savannah Sparrow. All over the east side of the lake, the Purple Martins were riding high capturing insects. At least one female must be sitting on eggs!
Baltimore and Orchard Orioles are actively ringing in the spring, along with additional Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, and a single Western Kingbird. An Eastern Meadowlark was heard on the Kicker field. Several young patches of trumpet vines are awaiting happy customers at choice locations.
Plenty of high breeding plumaged Double-crested Cormorants are roosting on the trees of Goose Island, as well as fishing in the nearby waters. Every day the male's crests are getting longer. The lone Neotropic Cormorant that was stationed on a snag between the northeastern jetty and Goose Island left the area over a week ago, and on Friday there was another one possibly replace it.
Heading nearer Airport Road, a couple of first of year Yellow Warblers were madly feeding on insects, likely having just extricated themselves from dealing with yesterday's assorted thunderstorms and rain.
It started to get interesting around the former new metal power pole clear cut site where trees were removed last year to make room for added electrical connections. For unusual nature there was a very young painted turtle and an odd orange fungus on a red cedar tree.
Within the now damp area along the small creek bed near Airport Road, numerous warblers were cavorting, including Yellow-rumped, more Yellow, and a Black-and-White Warbler. Fully investigating this area, we came up with Louisiana Waterthrush, possibly additional Black-and-White Warblers, a Painted Bunting, and more Harris's Sparrows in the distance and what could be emulating the Hooded Warbler in the drier area near the taller marsh grasses, along with a Marsh Wren. These additional birds were confirmed with a hosting Carolina Chickadee in the area of the columbines, while more Brown Thrashers went about their new nesting area. Spending a good hour in this region, it truly paid off, including the Red-bellied Woodpecker sounding off across Airport Rd.
After over four hours of birding and 67 species for the day, writer was very pleased with the fruitful adventure.
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